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Murashige, Laura
From: Alan Okinaka [aokinaka @hawaiiantel.net]
Sent: Sunday, October 16, 2011 12:24 PM
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To: counciltestimony @ co.hawaii.hi.us CO
Cc: fblas @co.hawaii.hi.us; bsmart@co.hawaii.hi.us C-D
Subject: Opposition to Bill 17 Draft 2 — "'<"'-i
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Aloha Chairperson Dominic Yagong and Members of the Hawaii County Council: = : m
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I oppose a ban on plastic bags because the plastic bag is a ubiquitous and useful item for almost —
everything we purchase, sell, and giveaway, and a ban will not promote consumers to be
environmentally conscious. I would prefer a fee be assessed for the use of a plastic bag instead of a
complete ban, and this will give the consumer an opportunity to retain their power of choice, which will
positively impact future consumer and environmentally friendly decisions.
Although I am sure you have received many reasons why plastic bags should not be banned, I am
including some of them here to reinforce my positions:
1. Switching to paper bags, which are environmentally more unfriendly than plastic bags, will not
provide an incentive for consumers to use their reusable bags.
2. Assessing a fee or tax on plastic shopping bags in the Republic of Ireland and Washington D.C. has
shown, that besides raising revenues to clean up and prevent litter, the consumer's awareness was
increased and the use of plastic bags decreased.
Mahalo for considering my position on opposing Bill 17 Draft 2.
Alan Okinaka
Retired
Comm. No. to /4 f
Ref. To Pummel+
Ref. Date OUL2 7 2011
10/16/2011